UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
I have always enjoyed thinking about the comparisons of the body of Christ to the physical body. First Corinthians 12:12 says: “The body is a UNIT, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form ONE BODY. So it is with Christ.” This passage goes on to describe the awful results if the body does not function as intended by God. There would parts of the body going on strike because they deemed themselves less important in comparison to other more noticeable members. Others might feel that they did not belong at all. I have often humorously imagined a six foot tall nose, mouth or ear sitting in the church congregation on Sunday morning.
Ephesians 4 speaks more to the spiritual body of Christ and the unity required to function as God desires. How do we attain such unity? Verse 2 talks of being humble, gentle, patient and bearing with one another in love. Verse 3 points out the need for using every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace. Verse 15 lets us know that Christ is the head of the body. Finally verse 16 says: From him (THE HEAD) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in love, as EACH PART DOES ITS WORK.
Rom. 12, I Cor. 12, Eph. 4 and I Pet. 4 are all passages that describe the gifts of the Spirit. Eph. 4: 12 gives the reason for the gifts, “to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the BODY OF CHRIST may be built up until we all reach UNITY in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Are we on the pathway to unity in the body of Christ? Remember that we as believers in Christ are the body of Christ. Are we living lives worthy of the calling of God?
Ephesians 4 speaks more to the spiritual body of Christ and the unity required to function as God desires. How do we attain such unity? Verse 2 talks of being humble, gentle, patient and bearing with one another in love. Verse 3 points out the need for using every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace. Verse 15 lets us know that Christ is the head of the body. Finally verse 16 says: From him (THE HEAD) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in love, as EACH PART DOES ITS WORK.
Rom. 12, I Cor. 12, Eph. 4 and I Pet. 4 are all passages that describe the gifts of the Spirit. Eph. 4: 12 gives the reason for the gifts, “to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the BODY OF CHRIST may be built up until we all reach UNITY in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Are we on the pathway to unity in the body of Christ? Remember that we as believers in Christ are the body of Christ. Are we living lives worthy of the calling of God?
by Dwain Fowler
Posted in Read Through the Bible
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